Short answer: the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 on measured sound quality, the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 on price. The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 ranks #23 of 222 bookshelf speakers, rated 4.4/5, at $6,000. The Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 ranks #42, rated 4.3/5, at $1,748, $4,252 cheaper.
The case for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2: A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data. The tradeoff: On-axis response is relatively uneven, with an average deviation of about 0.45dB, so a listener sitting dead center may notice more unevenness than with smoother AsciLab or Ascend towers.
The Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 is the deeper-bass pick. Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall. Its bass reaches about 41Hz before falling 3dB, against 58.6Hz for the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2. The tradeoff: A dip in the midbase around 100Hz noticeably reduces the “chestiness” of male vocals compared to the reviewer’s reference speaker.
Buy the Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 if the price matters more than sound quality. Buy the Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 if sound quality matters more than the price.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
A RAAL true ribbon tweeter is paired with a custom SEAS Excel Curv woofer, with the crossover optimized against Klippel NFS measurement data.
Ascend Acoustics $1,748 eBay
Three-way design featuring a 28mm tweeter, 5” mid-range, and dual 8” mid-bass drivers in a convertible sealed/ported HDF cabinet, with a supplied port bung for sealed operation near a wall.
Arendal Sound $6000 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 | Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,748 per pair | $6000 per pair |
| Ranked | #42 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #23 of 222 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | ported | - |
| Drivers | RAAL 10mm true ribbon tweeter, 6” SEAS Excel Curv cone woofer | Dual 8” woofers, 5” midrange, 28mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 14.3”H x 7.5”W x 10.5”D (362 x 190 x 267 mm) | 31.8”H x 11.4”W x 17.6”D (807.7 x 289.6 x 447 mm) |
| Weight | 20.1 lbs (9.1 kg) each | 103.6 lbs (47 kg) each |
| Sensitivity | 85dB @ 2.83V/1m anechoic (manufacturer) | 84.4dB (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal | 4 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Power Handling | 150W continuous, 300W peak | - |
| Frequency Response | 51-27,000Hz +/-3dB (manufacturer) | - |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 51.3Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | - |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 58.6Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 41Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42.4Hz (measured, spinorama.org vendor data) | 26Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Warranty | 7 years parts and labor | - |
| Country | United States | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.88 | 5.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.95 | 7.04 |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared. The two were measured by different sources, so small differences, especially in the bass, can come from the measurement setup rather than the speakers.
Measurement data: Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2EX V2 (measured by the manufacturer) and Arendal 1528 Monitor 8 (measured by Erin’s Audio Corner), via spinorama.org.
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